Xishuangbanna travel guide

The Water-Sprinkling Festival

The Water Splashing Festival is the New Year celebration of the Dai people in Xishuangbanna. Called "Sangken" in the Dai language, it is their most important festival. True to its name, a highlight is the water splashing activities that give the festival its nickname among outsiders. Other events include dragon boat races, flying lanterns, vibrant parades and more. Key cultural traditions are the “throwing of bags” ritual, ethnic singing and dancing, cockfighting and bullfighting. On the main day, young women are the focus of the water splashing as local lore says the girl doused the most is the most popular. The festival traces back to a Dai legend about an ancient disaster when the weather cycled irregularly between drought and flood, ruining crops and spreading disease. The Dai sun god Payagyi saw the plight and learned a rogue weather deity had caused the chaos. With help from the deity's seven daughters, Payagyi beheaded him using his own hair which was his only weakness. His decapitated head could still spew fire so the sisters took turns cradling it until the head rotted away. They splashed water on each other afterwards to wash away the filth. With the evil deity defeated, normal weather resumed and people began the water splashing ritual to honor the selfless sisters and pray for good fortune.

Temak

Temaoke, meaning “beating iron” in the Jinuo language, is the New Year celebration of the Jinuo ethnic minority. During the festival, Jinuo villages hold bullfighting events, feasts, and festive singing and dancing. Guests visiting the Jinuo receive warm hospitality as the New Year is welcomed. It is an ideal time to experience Jinuo customs. As Jinuo legend goes, before the use of iron tools, a Jinuo woman was pregnant for an extraordinary 9 years and 9 months. When finally born, her baby emerged as a grown man wielding a hammer and tongs. He began smithing iron inside the home, bringing the metalworking age to the Jinuo. The Temaoke Festival commemorates this transition. Nowadays, the festival more broadly represents ringing out the old year and ringing in the new. Visiting during Temaoke offers an inside look at Jinuo culture through customs like bullfighting, huge communal feasts, and observing their New Year’s rituals. It provides opportunities to try Jinuo cuisine, learn about their history and forge cross-cultural connections.

Best Travel Time

'Heat' is a major feature of the climate in Xishuangbanna. The average annual temperature in Xishuangbanna is 21.9 ℃, divided into two seasons: drought and rain. November May is the dry season with cooler weather, making it the peak season for tourism. Especially in April, there is a grand water splashing festival. From June to October, it is the rainy season and the weather is relatively humid and hot. However, during this time, traveling in Banna can taste various fruits. And at this time, there are fewer tourists and various expenses have also decreased.

Dressing Guidelines

Pack plenty of t-shirts, shorts, and sandals for Xishuangbanna’s tropical climate. Bring a light jacket for cool mornings and evenings. Slip-on sandals will be your daily footwear, so leave bulky sneakers behind.

In the dry season from November to May, prepare for sweltering heat with sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, hats, and heat illness medication. The rainy season's humid air sticks sweat to your skin, so carry a small towel when out. Umbrellas, mosquito spray, sun protection, and oral rehydration salts like Huo Xiang Zheng Qi remain rainy season essentials.

Light, loose fabrics like cotton or linen allow airflow to keep you cool and dry. Bring a compact raincoat or poncho for sudden downpours. With breathable clothes, protective accessories, and sensible footwear, you’ll stay comfortable appreciating Xishuangbanna’s vibrant scenery and culture despite the hot, humid climate.

Airport shuttle bus

机场——景洪市区：有机场中巴可到，4元/人。还可出机场向右走约500米左右，到景洪职业中学搭乘1路公交车到达市区。也可直接乘出租车前往市区。景洪市区——机场：市内有公交专线可到，途经金凤酒店（站台）、财鑫酒店（站台）、机场高速路。专线票价4元/人，运行方式为双向发车，每天7:30-22:00，约30分钟一班。

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Ships

景洪港是澜沧江•湄公河国际航线上的一个重要港口，是以客运为主，货运为辅的综合性码头。下设景洪港中心码头、橄榄坝码头、关累码头，现已开辟了至老挝万象的国际水运航线。图：轮船。

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Long-distance bus

西双版纳境内有3条出境公路可通达缅甸和泰国，昆明至西双版纳景洪市约560km，要在昆明南部客运乘车，车程约8-10个小时左右，票价225元（不含保险），卧铺，235元（不含保险），沿途可能会有若干次边防检查，需出示身份证。Tips：最好选择乘坐“高快客”，这类车的车型较好，速度相对快。春节和泼水节期间，人流比较大，车费会上浮15%-20%左右。八仙：景洪去各县、镇景点的班车按规定票价，但从各县/镇景点返回的车则普遍加价1-3元，商量余地不大。相关客运站联系方式昆明南部客运站地址：昆明市官渡区矣六乡新昆洛路（五腊村对面）联系方式：0871-7361722景洪汽车客运站（北站）景洪市内的最大的长途客运站，有发往省内和省外的班车，也有发往野象谷、植物园的班车。地址：西双版纳景洪市勐泐大道16号联系方式：0691-2123699西双版纳客运站主要运营市内班车，有到野象谷、植物园等地的班车。地址：西双版纳景洪市民航路3号联系方式：0691-2136288，2124427景洪客运南站有开往老挝的国际客运班车，还有到植物园、望天树景区的班车。地址：西双版景洪市勐海路77号联系方式：0691-2137105景洪到各景点及班车情况西双版纳的景点比较分散，景洪市内的客运站每天有很多班车开往各县、乡，可以到达大部分的旅游景点，车次很多，但需要认清车上的标识和线路，以免搭错车。景洪——祁东：2200km，隔日有卧铺车景洪——景谷：335km，每天有卧铺车景洪——临沧：440km，每天有卧铺车景洪——耿马：374km，每天有卧铺车景洪——澜沧：173km，每天有卧铺车景洪——瑞丽：993km，每天有卧铺车景洪——开远：710km，每天有卧铺车景洪——昭通：1090km，每天有卧铺车景洪——宣威：936km，每天有卧铺车景洪——下关：763km，每天有两班卧铺车景洪——保山：747km，每天有卧铺、中巴各一班景洪——思茅：163km，每天有多班中巴车往返景洪——墨江：367km，每天有卧铺车景洪——江城；260km，每天有中巴车景洪——普洱：212km，每天有3班中巴车景洪——勐腊：173km，每天有多班中巴车往返景洪——勐海：53km，每天有多班中巴车往返景洪——打洛：134km，每天有多班中巴车往返景洪——万象（老挝）：920km，每周一班景洪——瑞丽：993km，每天有卧铺车图：长途汽车。

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Medical treatment

Here is some medical information for Jinghong, Xishuangbanna for an English travel website:Medical Care in Jinghong, XishuangbannaJinghong has several hospitals available for medical care. The largest is Jinghong People's Hospital located at 48 Galan Zhong Lu. Tel: 0691-2147123Jinghong People's Hospital is a modern, tier 3 facility providing comprehensive healthcare including 24/7 emergency services. English-speaking staff are available.Other medical facilities in Jinghong include the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, and various community health centers. Be sure to carry international medical insurance when traveling in Xishuangbanna. Do not hesitate to seek medical attention at Jinghong People's Hospital or other reputable facilities if you become ill or injured during your stay. Quality medical care is available in the city.Have a wonderful trip to Xishuangbanna! Please let us know if you need any other recommendations for healthcare services in the area.

Safety considerations

Here are some tips for solo female travelers in Xishuangbanna, China:

1. Don't reveal your exact destination or travel plans to strangers. Avoid mentioning you are traveling alone.

2. Groups with other women tend to be safer to associate with.

3. Try not to arrive late at night. If you must, you can wait in the train station until daylight.

4. Accurate travel information is crucial. Research thoroughly beforehand and stay in contact with friends who've visited if possible.

Overall, violent crime is rare, but exercise normal precautions. Secure valuables, avoid isolated areas at night, and only take registered taxis. Xishuangbanna is generally safe, but following basic safety tips as a solo female traveler makes for a comfortable trip. Let local tourism authorities know if any issues arise. With proper precautions, Xishuangbanna can be an adventurous yet secure destination.